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Marja de Jong |
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2015 in review
2015The annual review are included with some links in the text and/or images. It is possible to get more information about some items through these links. Your curser will show you when there is a link and the text is white. A flashback at the end of the year is like ending a book that has given nice, exiting, glorious, joyful and sometimes sad moments. It has to be closed and it will be slumber between all previous years.
2014 ended quite cold and in January 2015 there was more snow
than in winter 2014. The summer was strange many days with rain and
the temperature was not as it can be expected in Finnish summers.
After school holidays the weather started to be warm and sunny and
the annual railway day SAVON RADAN päivä on the 3rd of October was a
beautiful day. In November there was already 20 cm snow, but that
disappeared and there was no white Christmas. The last days of the
year were bringing cold weather. 2015 started with the NEW YEAR and birthday party on January 17.
It was nice to welcome friends and members of AREFS during this
winter event. A year brings beautiful moments, but also sad moments are part of
it. In autumn I received the message that Henk Verhey a good friend
and colleague from the Ichthus Hogeschool in Rotterdam has been
passed away. It is a tragedy for his children and grant children and
for all who have known him. He was an excellent teacher and his
characteristic humor fascinated me often. Thinking of him reminds me
of the way he has lived his life and what the meaning was for
others.  Karel a cat who understands life.The renovated atelier invited me to day after day. It was a great experience to create the series Hiirola-homage to Knut Nylander. This series is based on the design of the Hiirola railway station by the architect Knut Nylander in 1889. This railway station has 42 copies in whole Finland.
left some pantings 'under construction' and right some of the copies of the series Hiirola-homage to Knut Nylander.A second series called 'NAME PAINTINGS'
NAME PAINTINGS, left a part of the process, right a part of the final results (not all finished)2015 was the third year of living in the railway station of Hiirola. The renovation of the building goes on and step by step it is recovering from its neglect. It is a wonderful building with an interesting history and it is a challenge to develop a new content in and with it. The authentic historical building offers space, ambiance and environment for all kinds of art, culture and community experiences. In 2015 more space has been created for art activities.
A part of the building has been in use as storage, but it is planned
as an archive for the child art collection of the AllaprimA Foundation
and AREFS taide ja kulttuuri ry. A part of the (not heated) area is
separated by a wall and is now the tools room. Siard from Ecotimmer has done a
great job in this renovation. Taking care of the authentic details is
his strength. It makes the result fitting in an old building like this. The previous tools room, which was located in the entrance room, has been transformed into a small gallery called STUDIO 23.
The storage of tools and material has changed and the small room is painted white and covered with a new floor, similar as in the library.
In September I installed a try-out with my own art works and it was very
satisfying to see how the previous dark room has changed into a bright
ambiance. As an entrance of the building it is more inviting. The new
floor looks good and is easy to maintain.
The old floor in the library (in the past the waiting room) was terrible and needed a new layer. This summer I made a floor by using plywood as material. The result makes me happy and with a thin layer of insulation it is much warmer than before.
It was clear that the library has many books and as there was found
an old door between the library and the atelier the bookshelves needed
to be reconstructed. Now the door is open the whole space at the front
side of the railway station is connected and ready for art activities.
The old door has a hidden secret, the old ticket sales opening and the
original old glasses. The international youth art camp in Wanha Koulu in Vehmaskylä is an interesting experience. International youth come together and have experiences in nature through and language. It is inspiring to develop an art program that challenge young people to discover new fields and explore unknown talents.
The railway station in Haukivuori, where I lived in 2012 has got new owners. In July, with de summer cottage market in the village of Haukivuori we organized open doors in the station and many persons were visiting the building during this event.
The railway station in Haukivuori in summer 2015In May the art education symposium NATURALLY ART took place. A
group of very interestested and nice teachers from Portugal
articipated in it through the Erasmus + program. A part of the
program took place at the school in Rämälä where children from the
1st and 2nd class were practicing their artistic skills. With Riitta
Moisander we discussed about the meaning of art and culture and how
it works in the education of children. At Hiirola station ideas
about a structural program in art education were examined. A
practical workshop about mono printing showed the basic idea of the
art process.
Art education symposium NATURALLY ART.
Some of the final results of the art workshops during the art education symposium NATURALLY ART at Rämälä school.In September the school in Rämälä participated in the preparation for the annual SAVON-RADAN päivä. The children were painting train wagons on pieces of plywood. The long train has been exhibit in the yard of the Hiirola railway station on October 3rd.
Painting a train wagon on two sides of a piece of plywood.In autumn it is important to prepare for the coming winter. The
new wood storage makes it possible to store more wood for winter and
it gives good feelings to see that heating will be successful.
On Saturday October 3rd people came from all directions by car, train and other transport to Hiirola to visit the station and see what is going on on this place. This year the building was open and the new gallery STUDIO 23 has its first exhibition 'PREMIERE'.
SAVON-RADAN päivä, the train stops at Haukivuori, Kalvitsa, Hiirola, Mikkeli and Otava.Several visitors from abroad have visited my home and it was good
to meet my brother Hans and his son Pieter, my friends Clazien,
Sylvia and her sister Liedeke, and Mariëtte. They all made the
year for me very special. The last part of the year was quiet, the weather was grey and the end was dark without snow.
On December 27 in YLE uutiset the train wagon in the yard of Hiirola railway station has illustrated an article by Juho Liukkonen about the policy of VR the old train wagons concerning. Looking forward to a continuation in 2016. The activities at Hiirola railway station are in cooperation with
AREFS taide ja kulttuuri ry and SAVON-RADAN ryhmä.
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